How Accurately Can the Position of a Proton Be Determined at High Speeds?

[Ve3Mike]

I have a question i am having trouble on. "A proton is traveling with a speed of (6.560+0.012)*10^5 m/s. With what maximum accurancy can its position be ascertained?" Any help will be appreciated.

 

[mezarashi]

Go through your notes on the Uncertainty Principle. There is an equation relating uncertainty in momentum (mass x velocity) and position that can be directly applied.

 

[gagsrcool]

Hi,

The accuracy actually depends upon the velocity. You have first got to ascertain the shell by which it travels and use relativity to find the increase in mass due to the high velocity and then you may use the mass*velocity equation.

gagsrcool

 

[kmcf]

At ~10^5 m/s, the proton is non-relativistic and the Newtonian mass is accurate enough.